April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a good time to learn more about the dangers of underage drinking.
Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug among youth nationally and in Iowa. Sixteen percent of eighth graders in Iowa report drinking alcohol before turning 13 years old, and more than one in four high school juniors have consumed alcohol in the last 30 days.
In 2012, more than 200 Iowans under the age of 18 were convicted of operating while intoxicated when they drove after drinking. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. About a quarter of those accidents involve an underage drinking driver.
Teens that drink are more likely to:
• Die in a car crash
• Get pregnant
• Flunk out of school
• Be sexually assaulted
• Become an alcoholic later in life
• Commit suicide
To help tackle these concerns, the Legislature approved “social host” legislation this session.
Although it is currently illegal to provide alcohol to anyone under 21, it is not against the law to host a party for underage drinkers on your property if you don’t provide the alcohol. Many cities and counties have ordinances that prohibit hosting parties for underage drinkers, but state law has not prohibited it.
That’s why the Senate recently passed SF 2310, which sends a message that it is not OK for adults to host underage drinking parties. Adults who allow kids under 18 to consume or possess alcohol on their property will pay a $200 penalty for the first offense and a $500 penalty for a second or subsequent offense.
For parents who believe that teen drinking is inevitable, Mothers Against Drunk Driving has advice and resources that will help you talk to your children and grandchildren about the dangers of drinking. Learn more at www.madd.org/underage-drinking.